Valemount residents urged to secure bear attractants after black bear sightings: COS
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Conservation Officer Service is urging Valemount residents to secure bear attractants after receiving reports of an injured black bear in the area.
The Service received two reports of the bear on May 17th and 18th, between 9th Avenue and Cranberry Marsh, the Ministry of Environment told The Goat in an email statement. The sightings took place in the evening and late at night.
The bear is limping on its right front paw, according to reports. There are no reports of the bear being aggressive towards people, according to the ministry. However, the bear has accessed non-natural food sources from improperly secured garbage, according to the Service.
The Ministry said conservation officers may consider relocating the bear, if circumstances allow. If the bear begins showing food-conditioned behaviours that result in a reduced fear of people, relocation and rehabilitation are not possible as it would pose a public safety risk, according to the ministry.
Residents should secure their garbage by keeping it inside or in a push-to-open latching system and other attractants such as pet food, barbecues, and birdseed, the ministry says. Livestock owners can install electric fencing and motion lights, and should secure feed indoors.
If residents see a bear, conservation officers recommend backing away slowly and making as much noise as possible.
In an email to The Goat, Valemount CAO Anne Yanciw said the Village has been printing bear-aware advertisements. The advertisements encourage residents to keep waste and compost in bear-resistant containers, keep barbecues clean, avoid keeping pet food outside, and picking fruit trees before they ripen. Yanciw said residents can also consult the Village’s solid waste bylaw to see how garbage should be secured.
Conservation officers will continue to monitor local bear activity, the statement adds. Bear conflicts and aggressive behaviour can be reported to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
